Let’s find out “How Did SA Footy Legend Neil Kerley Die?” All of South Australia’s football fans were shocked to learn that Neil “Knuckles” Kerley, 88, had passed away in a vehicle accident.
Aged 88 years Neil Kerley, whose full name is Donald Neil Kerley AM, was a former Australian rules football player and coach. He died on June 29, 2022.
He was most remembered for participating in 32 state games for South Australia and leading three clubs to four SANFL (South Australian National Football League) championships over the course of three decades.
Kerley’s car is said to have been carrying a trailer when it went through a fence and into a pasture on Mallee Road in the Murraylands.
Neil Kereley Wife Barbara Gordon, Children & Family
In 1955, Neil Kerley met local girl Barbara Gordon while coaching North Whyalla. His three children were born to the couple after their marriage on February 25, 1955, at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church in Whyalla (Donald Jr, Robyn and Gail).
According to a tale shared by Kerley in the 2003 book Knuckles by Jim Rosevear.
During one of his first practices as Central District’s head coach in 1988, Kerles informed his players that a woman who was watching them in the grandstand knew as much about football as he did.
He promised to let him know on the way home (a 45-kilometer drive from Elizabeth to the couple’s home in Bellevue Heights) who had trained well and who.
Kerls was referring to his wife Barbara, who had spent more than 30 years cheering on her husband’s teams while they competed in Aussie rules football.
Throughout the years, Barbara was frequently able to let Neil know about events that occurred during practices or games that he had missed, which he really valued as a coach.
SA Footy Legend Neil Kerley Death Was Caused From A Car Accident
Neil Kerley’s car is said to have been pulling a trailer when it went through a fence and into a farm on Mallee Road in the Murraylands.
Approximately 100 kilometers north of Adelaide, close to the small Murray River hamlet of Walker Flat, the accident happened just before 5.30 p.m., according to a statement from the South Australian police.
The South Adelaide Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Premiership Captain/Coach Neil Kerley.
A true legend of South Australian Football.
Our thoughts are with Kerley Family and the football community. pic.twitter.com/RvE1mIO8MU
— South Adelaide FC (@southadelaidefc) June 29, 2022
According to reports, a car pulling a trailer off the road and crashed through a fence into a pasture just before 5.30 p.m. today, according to the statement. Police and emergency services were summoned to Mallee Road.
The West Adelaide Football Club released a statement immediately after the information was made public, expressing their “horror and overwhelming devastation” at the development.
Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the whole West Adelaide and SA Football community at this difficult time, the statement added.
Neil Kerley’s Career
Before joining West Adelaide in 1952, Neil Kerley started playing football in the late 1940s with Barmera in the Riverland Football League.
The Barmera-Monash Football Club expressed its and the larger Barmera community’s “devastation” upon Neil Kerley’s loss.
He was a versatile player who, over the course of three decades as a player and coach, led three clubs to four South Australian National Football League championships. Additionally, he participated in 32 games for South Australia.
Vale Neil Kerley
A giant of Australian Rules pic.twitter.com/rupZhWtd5d
— Joshua Kay (@js_kay) June 29, 2022
After his coaching career came to an end, Kerley worked as a boundary rider for Channel 7’s AFL broadcasts in the 1990s and was a selector for the AFL’s All-Australian team up until his passing.
In a statement on Wednesday night, the Glenelg Football Club expressed its astonishment and overwhelming sadness upon learning of the passing of Tiger icon Neil Kerley.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and the whole South African football community at this difficult time.”
